in which many things were planted

Yesterday was a planned busy day and it met all expectations.

We drove up to the Fedco Tree sale to pick up our order. Of course, we couldn't just pick up our order and leave, there were too many things to look at. We ended up picking up a few extras. Then we came home and began planting (11:30am). It was a very warm and sunny day, perfect weather for working in the yard. Took a break for food, drink, and exhaustion at 3:00. At 3:30 went back out and started in again. Came back in, completely bushed at 7:30pm. Showered, changed, and went out to have someone feed us, home at about 9:30.

We planted 3 lowbush blueberries bushes, 20 raspberry canes, 3 blackberry canes,3 plum trees, 2 American chestnuts, 4 lilac bushes (3 varieties), 3 ferns, and 1 Canadian ginger. The bulk of the berry canes were planted in soil that had to be cleaned of rose vine roots and pieces of glass (time consuming). The lilacs and one of the chestnuts were planted in areas that required digging through 4 inches of packed gravel (exhausting). Only the plum trees went easily. We also hand mowed and raked a bit of lawn that will be used by our neighbors as the grilling area.

It looks like we have volunteers sprouting from something of the squash/cuke family. Knowing the neighbors, it's probably pumpkins. They are literally all over the place. I'll let them grow whenever they aren't in a place I'm specifically planting.

Still to do, hopefully today: planting seeds for snow peas, radishes, carrots, bok choy, planting seedlings we have of pac choy, lettuce, re-pot seedlings we got of peppers, basil, cumin, start a bunch of other things indoors for transplant in late May. Get the first hand mowing and raking done on the area by the railroad tracks that hasn't already been done. Make a post hole and stick a post in it. Repair a fence. Right now it's raining, so maybe I'll start on the laundry.

ouch

When it comes to what go accomplished today, the list doesn't sound very impressive. But I was at it from about 10am until 7:40pm basically without a break. derien was also out digging and cursing bamboo most of the day as well. Among the things accomplished was burning a bunch of the bamboo and a good portion of the big pile of sticks. I started the fire at 5pm and kept feeding it constantly until derien took over at 7:40pm. She's now out watching the coals burn down and will probably put the water to the last of it shortly. It's not good for the environment, but then again having all those organics go needlessly into a concrete lined landfill wouldn't be good either. In one evening we got rid of what would have taken a month in dumpster loads most likely.

Things that did make the finished list: Applied patch of seed mix stuff to a large chunk of the lawn that was bare, packed dirt. Planted two short rows of snow peas. Mowed a bit of ground. Raked the bit that was mowed and a bit more. Ran the weed eater around the outbuilding and as many of the granite chunks as the cord would reach. Ripped out bamboo. Moved piles of ripped out bamboo to make room for planting. Got a pretty good sunburn on the arms. It seems like there should be more, but I can't remember.

Now the drier is running with a last load of cloths, the dishwasher is doing its thing, and I'm waiting for the Advil to kick in. It's a good thing weekends are only two days long, I don't think I could make it through another day without a rest.

No pics today, but maybe tomorrow or Tuesday.